Chapter 1
On the third day after my dad’s passing. Jake still hadn’t shown up.
“Sheriff Billy Bob, I’ve made up my mind.”
“I’m staying here to teach, just like my dad wanted.”
1 zipped up my last suitcase and looked him square in the eyes.
He paused, then said,
“Sweetheart, you worked your tail off to get on base life–why come back here to scrape by?”
I shook my head and glanced at the worn–out Timex watch on my wrist-
The only thing my dad left me.
“I’m not afraid of tough.”
“Give me seven days. I’ll file for divorce.”
At 7 p.m., I finally walked into the house on base.
Dinner was still sitting on the table, exactly how I left it.
As soon as I set my bag down, I heard boots on the porch.
Jake walked in, tall and sharp in his uniform, voice cold:
“Any food left? Mess hall’s closed.”
“Heat something up for Jessica, will you?”
“She’s been sick, can’t cook.”
I turned around, my face pale and tired.
“I just got back. I didn’t make anything.”
Jake frowned but didn’t ask where I’d been or why I looked so wrecked.
He just walked straight into the kitchen.
His mind was somewhere else-
With her.
I stood there, watching him awkwardly fry eggs and boil noodles.
In five years of marriage, this was the first time he ever cooked.
Ever since Jessica moved back to town after her divorce,
I’d gotten used to seeing this side of him.
He packed the noodles into a cheap aluminum lunchbox and tried to walk past me.
I blocked the door.
“I need to head back home in a few days.”
“Can you sign this so I can get travel clearance?”
23:35
Goodbye, Captain: I Left the Army Wife Life–And Took His Reputation With Me
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Chapter 1
I handed him the barely started divorce form and pointed to a blank line.
Jake paused, didn’t even glance at it, and just signed.
“She’s been sick these past few days.”
“Once she’s better. I’ll go back with you.”
I lowered my gaze, hiding my tear–lined eyes.
“Okay.”
As he brushed past me, I caught a whiff of La Mer on his collar-
The kind I could never afford.
The one she used all the time.
Once the gate closed behind him,
I walked to the table, folded the paper carefully.
A week ago, Sheriff Billy Bob had called me.
Dad collapsed during class, brain hemorrhage.
Died in the hospital.
I panicked and ran home, catching Jake just as he was about to leave.
“Can you come with me? My dad-”
Before I could finish, Jessica’s voice rang out from the porch:
“Jake! Hurry up, you promised we’d go shopping!”
The moment he heard her, Jake pulled his hand away.
“I’ve got plans. You go on ahead.”
“I’ll come when I can.”
That “when” never came.
Dad was buried, and Jake was still too busy.
All I had was the memory of Dad gripping my hand in the hospital bed, whispering,
“Jake’s a good man.”
“Serving his country. Don’t blame him.”
“Don’t argue with him when you go back.”
But Dad,
Jake wasn’t serving the country that day.
He was shopping with Jessica.
I wiped my eyes and cleaned up the dishes
Countdown to leaving:
Six days left.
—-. Wife Lifo–And Took His Reputation With Me
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